Clerical Changes at St. Katherine of Siena Parish
05/21/2022
Congratulations are in order for St. Katherine of Siena's pastor, Msgr. Paul M. Kennedy. On Friday, May, 20, Archbishop Nelson Pérez announced that Msgr. Kennedy has been named Pastor Emeritus of St. Katherine of Siena Parish.
The title "Pastor Emeritus" is a formal recognition of a priest's distinguished service to a parish. Msgr. Kennedy was named pastor of St. Katherine of Siena in 2005.
Msgr. Kennedy will move on to a position as a senior priest, effective June 20, 2022. In his new ministry he will assist St. David Parish in Willow Grove and serve as chaplain to the Sisters of Saint Joseph at Saint Joseph Villa in Flourtown.
On Saturday, May 21, Msgr. Kennedy celebrated his 45th anniversary to the priesthood. Prior to St. Katherine of Siena, Msgr. Kennedy spent many years in education with roles including principal and president of Cardinal Dougherty High School and principal of Archbishop Kennedy High School, Conshohocken. In 2017, he was named Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Francis, being recognized with the "Monsignor" title.
Archbishop Pérez announced that Fr. Joseph Zaleski would be named Parochial Administrator of St. Katherine of Siena Parish, effective June 20, 2022. Parishioners of St. Katherine of Siena surely will remember Fr. Zaleski, from his service to the parish from 2015 to 2017. St. Katherine of Siena was Fr. Zaleski's first priestly ministry.
Since leaving St. Katherine in 2017, Fr. Zaleski has served as a faculty member at Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast High School, School Minister at West Catholic Preparatory High School, and as School Minister at Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast High School.
A parochial administrator holds all the rights and duties of the pastor. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, priests are first given the role of parochial administrator before being assigned formally as a pastor. St. Katherine of Siena welcomes back Fr. Zaleski as our shepherd!
Fr. Zaleski said, "I leave Bonner & Prendie with a heavy heart but I’m thrilled to be going back to Saint Katherine’s!"
Additionally, Fr. David Buffum has been appointed Parochial Vicar of Saints Peter and Paul in West Chester. Fr. Buffum has been at St. Katherine of Siena since his ordination in 2019. We wish him well in his new role!
Fr. Kevin Okafor has been assigned to St. Katherine of Siena as Parochial Vicar. Fr. Okafor was ordained to the priesthood in 2020. Fr. Okafor comes to us from St. Elizabeth in Upper Uwchlan, Pennsylvania.
Finally, Fr. Andrew Lane, who served the last year at St. Katherine of Siena as a Transitional Deacon, has been named Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish in Philadelphia. Fr. Lane will celebrate the 10:00 a.m. mass at St. Katherine of Siena on Sunday, May 29.
Ave atque vale is a Latin expression which translates as, “Hail and Farewell.” We wish the best to all in their new ministries!
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